What should my son's first computer be? [more inside]
posted by emjaybee on Nov 7, 2009 - 12 answers

Help me choose between these 11.6" netbooks! [more inside]
posted by Crotalus on Nov 7, 2009 - 7 answers

Gift filter: I'm looking for a nifty computer-related gift for a friend's birthday. [more inside]
posted by oracle bone on Nov 4, 2009 - 11 answers

We're a Mac office, and we rotate the computers around when we get new ones. So imagine my delight when I got my weird 15" G4 monitor magically replaced with my boss' 24" iMac! w00t!... except that the giant size really spaces me out. Help! [more inside]
posted by Madamina on Nov 4, 2009 - 13 answers

Help me find a half-remembered anecdote about robotics and computing taking a cue from ant- or bee-like, hive-mind biological processes -- a story about a car factory's paint process organized with just three rules. [more inside]
posted by Cool Papa Bell on Nov 3, 2009 - 2 answers

Speaker noise when metal USB plug touches my computer case and other electrical problems. [more inside]
posted by archagon on Nov 1, 2009 - 8 answers

Trackpad suddenly stopped working - any solutions? [more inside]
posted by IAmBroom on Oct 31, 2009 - 6 answers

Is there good sites that provide ranking of computer processors performance? [more inside]
posted by idyllhands on Oct 30, 2009 - 17 answers

iMac drives failing - first external, then internal. Seems to be hardware in both cases. Questions about troubleshooting or replacement inside. [more inside]
posted by tkolstee on Oct 29, 2009 - 5 answers

Looking for the perfect laptop for traveling. Priorities are durability, lightness, and battery life, in that order. Performance is not too important, but it must run Windows 7 like a champ. Willing to consider netbooks. [more inside]
posted by Afroblanco on Oct 29, 2009 - 19 answers

My Inspiron 1545 thinks I'm pressing ctrl and I don't know why. [more inside]
posted by Pope Guilty on Oct 27, 2009 - 5 answers

I am in need of a new desktop computer. I am wondering if I should wait until Black Friday and brave the crowds or take advantage of some of the Windows 7 deals this week. I live in the Twin Cities, MN metro area if that makes a difference.
posted by dyno04 on Oct 27, 2009 - 14 answers

Recommended computer repair service in Hong Kong? [more inside]
posted by lmm on Oct 25, 2009 - 0 answers

My hard drive reads data like clockwork. Really! What's going on here? [more inside]
posted by Lord Fancy Pants on Oct 23, 2009 - 25 answers

I will need to change careers, but I have a bit of time to plan this out. What should my next computer- or education-related job be? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 23, 2009 - 4 answers

What are the best options for a desk mounted VESA compatible articulating arm for the new 27" iMac? [more inside]
posted by fairmettle on Oct 23, 2009 - 8 answers

Help me understand homogenous coordinates! [more inside]
posted by tickingclock on Oct 22, 2009 - 14 answers

Why is it that when I transfer files from an external hard drive to my laptop's hard drive via USB 2.0, the speeds are so much faster than transferring files from one external hard drive to another (5 mins vs. a few hours for 1.5 GB)? I think it might have to do with the fact that the external drives use different file systems (NTFS vs. FAT32). Is there any software that could speed things up?
posted by matkline on Oct 21, 2009 - 11 answers

A year or two back there was an online video (Boingboing tv?) showing an interview with a young artist (British?) who had mounted a camera behind and above his back, which fed the live video to goggles he wore. He'd also dressed in a getup that would make him look like a game character, spiky hair and such. "Live 3rd person perspective" in other words. Half an hour of googling and I can't find the darn video or any info relating to the artist. I think part of the video was shot in Japan, where he staggered around and posed in front of people, á la WoW taunting.
posted by monocultured on Oct 19, 2009 - 2 answers

What is a "firewall rule group"? When recently trying to install an MP3 player on my laptop, I was met with an error message that read "Operation Create Wireless Firewall Rule Group has failed," followed by Microsoft error code 0X80070057. I've searched around but haven't found much info on "rule groups." What is a firewall rule group, and is my wireless router somehow interrupting my hardware installation? Thanks!
posted by jackypaper on Oct 19, 2009 - 1 answer

I'm interested in detecting edits in a given video stream. Is there any literature out there on edit detection? [more inside]
posted by yegga on Oct 19, 2009 - 3 answers

Looking for 90's video games I played as a kid. [more inside]
posted by thebrokenmuse on Oct 17, 2009 - 7 answers

Hard drive(I think) corrupted - I'm drowning in information. Help? [more inside]
posted by R a c h e l on Oct 12, 2009 - 10 answers

Is this computer hot? [more inside]
posted by ChurchHatesTucker on Oct 10, 2009 - 12 answers

How can I (quickly) globally replace text in word with a footnote (or anything from my clipboard)? [more inside]
posted by kingjoeshmoe on Oct 10, 2009 - 1 answer

What could happen to my mac if I connect remotely to my windows computer at work. Is there a viciously secure way of doing this? [more inside]
posted by OlivesAndTurkishCoffee on Oct 9, 2009 - 8 answers

ARGH. Wireless connectivity problem. Laptop tells me I am connected with excellent signal strength, and yet I'm not able to load any webpages. [more inside]
posted by Kat Allison on Oct 8, 2009 - 4 answers

Can anyone lend me a hand in designing my new home network computer setup? [more inside]
posted by decrescendo on Oct 7, 2009 - 7 answers

PartitionFilter: I just got a new machine with Windows Vista with a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it comes out. I'm planning on doing a fresh installation of Windows 7 when I get it, but in the meantime I'd like to get settled in Windows Vista. Is there a good strategy to partitioning the 640GB HD so I can migrate with ease? Was thinking of having two partitions, one for OS, one for Program Data / Storage, and then wiping the OS partition when Windows 7 comes through. Advice?
posted by miasma on Oct 7, 2009 - 7 answers

I'm looking into getting a nice printer for printing fine-art quality prints. Help me decide between a couple (Epson v. Canon), and let me know your opinion re: 'archival' quality... [more inside]
posted by actionpact on Oct 6, 2009 - 7 answers

The best way to go from knowing how to put a computer together out of the box but nothing else, to understanding how the 'innards' work? [more inside]
posted by malibustacey9999 on Oct 5, 2009 - 13 answers

Follow up to this question. We tried the D-link, but it doesn't seem to be working with the laptop. The desktop computer connects fine. The laptop also doesn't recognize the desktop for file sharing. [more inside]
posted by biochemist on Oct 4, 2009 - 3 answers

How can I (non-programmer), create a customized installer? (see details please!) [more inside]
posted by stevyb on Oct 3, 2009 - 7 answers

Where can I get a custom PC built near Austin, Texas? [more inside]
posted by Eastgate on Oct 2, 2009 - 10 answers

Help me find a temporary stopgap for legacy software? [more inside]
posted by unvivid on Oct 2, 2009 - 7 answers

Apple Macs: Is it possible to boot my mac mini remotely? [more inside]
posted by telsa on Oct 2, 2009 - 7 answers

What do I do with several Apple IIs (and a Commodore, and maybe a few other "vintage" comptuers) that I have? [more inside]
posted by niles on Oct 1, 2009 - 19 answers

How can I get my elapsed time/"journey time" clock working again on my 2006 Outback? [more inside]
posted by icebourg on Oct 1, 2009 - 4 answers

Laptop dock without the expense? [more inside]
posted by po822000 on Oct 1, 2009 - 5 answers

Satellite photos: what interesting features can be seen or measured in them (or other aerial photos), and where can I get a supply of images? [more inside]
posted by k. on Sep 30, 2009 - 12 answers

I'm going to wipe my hard drive and reinstall Windows XP. But my files are in a huge mess and I'm scared I'm going to screw something up. [more inside]
posted by kitcat on Sep 30, 2009 - 16 answers

I'm taking an innovative course on using technology for humanitarian causes, taught by a professor I really like. But it's awful! How can I tell him what I think, and/or turn this disaster of a course into something worthwhile? [more inside]
posted by k. on Sep 23, 2009 - 29 answers

Is my data gone? Convoluted data storage question involving two Macs, a Drobo, and some file permission errors... Question on possible recovery options, and questions on how to stop it from happening again. [more inside]
posted by arniec on Sep 23, 2009 - 5 answers

My Mac refuses to keep the right time. I have to re-set it every day. [more inside]
posted by anonymous78 on Sep 22, 2009 - 4 answers

What is the best Web Browser for an intel Mac in terms of low CPU and RAM usage? [more inside]
posted by mahoganyslide on Sep 21, 2009 - 12 answers

I'm trying to set up my parents' home network. The easiest way to describe it is with a diagram. They have a DSL router in a closet, and that's connected (ethernet) to mom's desktop pc. There is a wireless router (D-Link DI-524) that's also connected to the DSL router via ethernet. There is a printer connected to the D-Link via ethernet. And finally, dad's laptop connects via wifi. If the DSL router is connected to the wireless router's LAN port, mom can surf the web and print to the printer, but dad can't connect to the internet. (see the "lan port connection" diagram) If the DSL router is connected to the wireless router's WAN port, mom can surf the web but can't see the printer, but dad can connect to the internet. (see the "wan port connection" diagram) I've tried tweaking the D-Link's settings to both accept a DHCP address or have a hardcoded address, and also to pass out or not pass our a DHCP address to dad's laptop. What I can't seem to accomplish is: 1. mom can access internet 2. mom can access printer 3. dad can access internet 4. dad can access printer Any suggestions? Can I even do this with this equipment?
posted by edjusted on Sep 17, 2009 - 5 answers

Help me select a TV (to be used as a computer monitor) for our conference room. We've got a small conference room at the office. I'm considering buying a used LCD (or plasma?) TV to use as a computer monitor for meetings. I need a little guidance in choosing the right specs. [more inside]
posted by namith on Sep 17, 2009 - 5 answers

I'm wondering if its possible to set my windows 7 log-in so that what account a person is logged into depends on what password is put in. [more inside]
posted by fizzzzzzzzzzzy on Sep 16, 2009 - 11 answers

Cheapest computing possibilities that will not die within six weeks? Used, new, whatever, I'm looking for something that will let me browse the net, do word processing/spreadsheets, and play music at least. [more inside]
posted by schroedinger on Sep 15, 2009 - 22 answers

Carrying solutions for an imac? [more inside]
posted by cazoo on Sep 14, 2009 - 9 answers